Local Elections May 2023
SOWLIS has asked all of the candidates to provide statements on their views on North Court Solar farm and these are the responses we have received which will hopefully help you decide on whom to vote for in the elections on 4 May (don’t forget to take your ID with you this year when you go to the Polling station).
​
It is important that we all take time to vote for our Downs North Ward Borough Councillor on 4 May. The Borough Councillor sits on Ashford Borough Council’s Planning Committee and whoever is elected will be representing the community’s views on North Court Solar Farm in future planning committee meetings.
​
What does a Borough Councillor do?
The councillor’s role centres around community leadership and engagement, responsibilities include:
-
representing the ward for which they are elected
-
decision-making - developing and reviewing council policy
-
scrutinising decisions taken by the councillors on the executive or cabinet
-
regulatory, quasi-judicial and statutory duties.
Green Party
A Statement from Cllr Geoff Meaden – current Borough Councillor
I have been asked by many residents of the Ward what my stance is on the application to construct a large solar farm adjacent to Old Wives Lees. With respect to this, I have been in a difficult situation because, if I wish to speak on this matter at the final Borough Council meeting where a decision will be made, then the rules state that I must be seen to be keeping an open mind on the matter, i.e. not favouring one side or another.
​
However, with the local council elections coming up, this situation puts me at a major disadvantage with respect to the other candidates who have already been stating their position on this major local issue. I have therefore decided that, was I to be re-elected, I will forego the privilege of speaking on the subject at the Planning Committee and I will ask another Councillor to do this in my place. I should mention here that any candidate who gets elected for Downs North and who has voiced an opinion on the issue would also not be able to speak on the subject.
​
I, therefore, wish to advise that I would be objecting to the North Court solar farm. In coming to this decision, I have carefully considered the Ashford Borough Council policy guidance, the opinion of most of the local residents, the advisory policies of the Green Party, my past experience as a judicial advisor on climate change and the potential alternative means of providing sustainable energy. While clearly there may be compelling reasons why a solar farm might be desirable, these reasons are heavily outweighed by the numerous disadvantages plus the alternative strategies for the use of this land. The Green Party are in favour of small solar arrays in appropriate locations as they can provide a secure additional farming enterprise.
I would be happy to discuss any of this further with local residents.
​
Geoff Meaden
Ashford Independents
A Statement from Chris Main
I have reviewed submissions regarding the North Court Solar Farm planning application, and I am 100% convinced that this is the wrong site for this development. We all understand the need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel-derived energy. But we also need to reduce our dependence on imported food. Renewable energy can be generated in a variety of ways and in a variety of locations. Food can only be grown on agricultural land - so using our best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land for energy production makes no sense. The heritage and historic significance of the Old Wives Lees area is outstanding. This development would seriously impact the setting of a number of listed buildings and the historic countryside along the North Downs Way, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It contravenes the local planning guidelines and there is nothing exceptional about this application that justifies doing that.
​
One final thought: defeating this application would constitute winning a battle but not winning the war. There will be more applications like this because the economics around agricultural land has shifted. Finding more suitable sites for this kind of development will actually help protect places like Old Wives Lees in the future, as well as meet the clear imperative for more renewable energy.
​
If I'm elected as your Borough Councillor, I will do everything in my power to oppose this application.
Chris Main
Conservative Party
A Statement from Tony Webb
As your Local Conservative Candidate for Downs North in the upcoming local elections, I promised to listen to and represent residents of the Ward. I’ve really enjoyed meeting you, listening to you, and having some enjoyable doorstep debates.
You asked me lots of questions and expressed many concerns about the proposed solar (photovoltaic) farm development at North Court, Old Wives Lees. It’s very clear to me that there is an overwhelming objection by the community. Lots of attention has focussed on an objective assessment of planning and environmental considerations.
So, what about my personal position? Having started with a very open mind about the pros and cons of the proposal, I believe that this proposed development is not justified.
Therefore, taking all this into account, I intend to strongly oppose the North Court Solar Farm development at Old Wives Lees to best represent our local community.
Tony Webb
Liberal Democrats
A Statement from Carol Wilcox
I’m responding to the request for a statement regarding the proposal for a solar farm on agricultural land in Old Wives Lees. As a long-standing resident of Crundale which is an AONB, I would hate to see this in my
village. I am very much in favour of sustainable energy sources such as solar but in the right place…not in AONBs nor on agricultural land such as that under threat in Old Wives Lees.
Carol Wilcox
https://www.ashfordlibdems.org.uk/